Overview
“Replicas” is the second studio album by Tubeway Army, an English new wave band led by Gary Numan (keyboards, guitars, vocals, producer, mixing) and formed in London in 1977.
Commentary
It was recorded in 1978–1979, and was released by Beggars Banquet Records in 1979. It reached number one on the UK Albums Chart.
The album was released about six months before “The Pleasure Principle” (1979), which was released under the name of Gary Numan.
Though the music is bacillary synth-pop produced by the use of analog synthesizer Minimoog under the influence of Ultravox of the John Foxx era and Kraftwerk, it also incorporates the elements of guitar rock influenced by glam rock, such as David Bowie and T. Rex.
The concept and lyrics of the album were inspired by the near-future dystopian science fiction of Philip K. Dick, particularly “Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?” (1968).
The album includes singles, “Down in the Park” and “Are ‘Friends’ Electric?” (number one in the UK Singles Chart).
The 1999 and 2008 reissue editions include several bonus tracks, including single B-sides and outtakes.
